William Shillcock

The McGregor Boot and the McGregor Ball, manufactured and indeed 'invented' by Birmingham's Mr William Shillcock, were named after the founder of the Football League, William McGregor.  McGregor himself had been involved in the supply of sporting goods- his draper's shop stocked football jerseys.
 Shillcock was a personal friend of McGregor and had connections with Aston Villa. When Villa won the FA Cup in 1895 they loaned it to Mr Shillcock who put it on display in his shop window.  On the night of 10th-11th September the trophy was stolen from the shop, and never recovered.